Automatic water gate construction

ABSTRACT

The gate pivot is formed by a rotatably mounted tubular beam on which the frame is mounted by means of bearing members which are provided on the frame and engage peripheral surface portions of the tubular beam spaced apart at a sufficient angle, and which members are locked in such engagement by bolts that are secured to the frame and extend therefrom and into securement with the tubular beam along lines located between radial lines through such surface portions. A tank for the sector float of the gate is supported at one end by the walls of the water course and at its other end by rollers engaging the peripheral surface of the tubular beam.

United States Patent [191 Dubouchet AUTOMATIC WATER GATE CONSTRUCTION[75] Inventor: Jacques L. Dubouchet, Larchmont,

[73] Assignee: Societe Generale De Constructions Electriques EtMechaniques (ALSTHOM Grenoble, France 22 Filed: Apr. 1, 1971 21 Appl.No.: 130,419

[30] Foreign ApplicationPriority Data 2,705,871 4/1955 Kenigsberg 61/251 June 19, 1973 2,776,541 l/1957 Fortes 61/25 3,066,490 12/1962Dubouchet 61/25 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 460,719 12/1950 Italy61/25 Primary Examiner-David J. Williamowsky Assistant ExaminerDavid H.Corbin Attorney-Liddy, Sullivan, Hart, Daniels & Baxley [57] ABSTRACTThe gate pivot is formed by a rotatably mounted tubular beam on whichthe frame is mounted by means of bearing members which are provided onthe frame and engage peripheral surface portions of the tubular beamspaced apart at a sufficient angle, and which members are locked in suchengagement by bolts that are secured to the frame and extend therefromand into securement with the tubular beam along lines located betweenradial lines through such surface portions. A tank for the sector floatof the gate is supported at one end by the walls of the water course andat its other end by rollers engaging the peripheral surface of thetubular beam.

11 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures Pmmcnwm' 3.739.585

SHEEI 1 (IF 2 FIG.

INVENTOR. JACQUES L. DUBOUCHET Arron/5r AUTOMATIC WATER GATECONSTRUCTION THE INVENTION This invention relates to gates forautomatically controlling the flow of water in canals, streams, etc.,and more particularly to an improved frame construction for the sectortype of such automatic gates.

Automatic gates of the sector type with which this invention isconcerned are usually constituted of an upstream, arcuately-shaped gateapron centered on the axis of rotation of the gate, a downstreamsectorshaped, gate float centered on the same axis, a frame connectingthe gate apron and the float, and ballasting means for balancing thegate to effect its automatic operation. In order that this type of gatemay function correctly in its automatic operations, it is necessary thatcertain of its parts be centered on the axis of rotation of the gatewithin relatively close tolerances. As the assembly of such parts inorder to accomplish this result can best be done at the factory and notin the field, this type of gate is usually made as a unit with the frameand float welded to a transverse beam, the longitudinal axis of which iscoincidental with the axis of rotation of the unit, and with the gateapron and at least one ballast container welded to the frame. It will beapparent however, that such a unitary gate, especially those which areof large construction, presents many problems during theirtransportation and in handling.

It is the primary purpose of this invention to provide a gateconstruction which can be shipped in disassembled condition, and whichcan readily be assembled to provide a completely rigid gate constructionthat will perform satisfactorily the automatic, operations for which itwas made.

In accordance with the invention, the aforesaid purpose is essentiallyaccomplished by making the gate pivot of a tubular beam, providing theframe arms of the gate with protruding parts which bear on portions ofsuch tubular beam spaced apart at a sufficient angle, and locking suchparts to the tubular beam by bolts which extend from the frame arms intothe tubular beam along lines located between radial lines through suchsurface portions.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, a tank for thesector float is supported at one end by the walls of the water courseand at its other end by rollers carried thereby and arranged to traveltransversely of the length of and on the peripheral surface of thetubular beam.

Other features of the invention, as well as the advantages thereof, willappear from the following description when read in connection with theaccompanying drawings which show by way of example the inventionembodied in a sector type automatic gate constructed to maintain aconstant water level downstream of the gate, and in which FIG. 1 is aschematic, side elevational view of the gate;

FIG. 2 is a partial, vertical sectional view of an enlarged scaleillustrating the method of assembling the frame and the sector floattank on the tubular pivotal beam;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 with thebalancing container omitted for the sake of clearness; and

FIG. 4 is a partial, side elevational view of a modified method ofassembling the frame on the tubular beam.

As is shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the automatic gate includes aframe 3 which extends upstream from the gate pivotal axis 2 and on'theouter upstream end of which is mounted a sector-shaped apron 1 radiallydisposed to the pivotal axis 2. The gate unit further includes a hollowsector float 4 which is also centered for pivotal movement about theaxis 2 and which moves in a tank 5 that is in communication with thedownstream reach of the canal. The float 4 also functions as aballasting container for ballast material 30 which is loaded thereinwhen the gate is in its closed position as is shown in FIG. 1 of thedrawings. Sufficient of the ballast 30 is added until the gate is juston balance in its closed condition. The gate is then balanced in itsopen position by loading ballast 31 in a container 6 which is mounted onthe frame 3 so that it is located vertically above the pivoted axis 2when the gate is in its closed position as in FIG. 1. As a result ofsuch balanced condition of the gate, when the level of the water in thedownstream reach falls below the level of the pivotal axis 2, the gatewill immediately and automatically open to permit a larger discharge ofwater into the downstream reach until the water in the latter isrestored to the level of the pivotal axis 2, whereupon the gate willmove to return the apron 1 to closer position.

The pivotal axis 2 of the gate is coincidental with the longitudinalaxis of a tubular beam 22 which extends transversely across the canal23, in FIG. 3, and is rotatably supported at its ends by bearings 24,24mounted in the side walls 25,25 of the canal. The frame 3 mounted on thetubular beam 22 for pivotal movement about its longitudinal axis 2, isconstituted of two arms 26,26 which at their downstream ends rest on thebeam 1 22. Each frame arm 26 is is composed of two U-shaped beams weldedtogether to form a hollow rectangularlyshaped arm and is separatelyconnected to the beam 22. The arm connecting means comprises a plate 8that is welded to the outer side wall of the hollow arm so that itslower edge rests on a surface portion 10 of the beam located verticallyabove the pivotal axis 2 when the gate is in its closed position as inFIGS. 1 and 2. The

bearing plate 8 protrudes below the surface of the frame arm 26 and itslower edge 8 is arcuately-shaped to rest on the peripheral surface ofthe tubular beam 22. Also fixedly secured to each frame arm 26, as bysecuring it between the welded flange edges of the U- shaped beamsforming such frame arm, is a second bearing plate 7 which dependsdownwardly from such arm and is provided with an arcuately-shapeddownstream edge portion 7' that bears against a beam surface portion 9disposed upstream of the pivotal axis 2 and at an angle of approximatelyto the beam surface portion 10. Thus, the plate 7' in addition toserving as a means for securing the frame arm to the beam 22, cooperateswith the latter to bear the thrust of the hydraulic forces exerted onthe apron l and transmitted along the beam 26. It may be noted at thistime that at the two surface portions 10 of the beam 22 engaged by thebearing plates8 will be subjected to lines of force which are,predominately of the weight of the frame, whereas the two surfaceportions 9 of the beam 22 engaged by the bearing plates 7 will besubjected to lines of force which are predominately of the hydraulicthrust on the apron. The angle between the two surface portions 9 and 10should preferably be sufficient to cover all of the angular travel ofthe resultant of the thrust exerted by the weight of the gate on thetubular beam and of the variable hydraulic thrust that is exerted on theapron of the gate and transmitted through the frame 3 to the tubularbeam 22.

The tubular beam 22 is locked in the aforesaid relation with the bearingplates Tan 8 of each frame arm 26, by a threaded bolt 11 whose head endextends through an apertured block or socket member 12 permanently fixedto each frame arm. The threaded end 13 of the bolt 11 is threadedlyengaged with a female thread provided in one end of an elongatedrod-like nut 14 diametrically arranged within the tubular beam 22 andsecured at its ends to diametrically opposed portions of the beam wall.When the bolt 11 is tightly screwed into the threaded end of the fixednut member 14, it is locked in such position by a flanged lock member 27in FIG. 2. It will be observed also from FIG. 2 of the drawings, thatthe opening in the socket member 12 for the bolt 11 is fixed so that itscenterline is between the radial lines through the surface portions 9and of the beam 22 that indicate the two variable componentlines offorce exerted on the tubular beam by the weight of the gate and thevariable hydraulic thrust on the apron. This direction of the bolt maycoincide with a line which bisects a bearing angle of 90 as shown inFIG. 2 of the drawings, but it may be positioned at a different anglewith respect to such lines of force. In any event, the direction of thebolt should be within the angle formed by the two bearing surfaces 7'-and 8 and such as to maintain the bearing plates 7 and 8 firmly seatedon the periphery of the beam 22 particularly in the absence of hydraulicthrust. Thus, in the locked, coupled condition of the beam 22 and theplates 7 and 8, the bolt 11 and the nut member 14 will provide acompletely rigid assembly of the frame arms and tubular beam that willnot be modified during the automatic operations of the gate even underextreme conditions and until it is positively dismantled for purposes ofrepair, or the like.

As is indicated in FIGS. 1 and 3 of the drawings, the sector float 4 ispermanently connected to the downstream ends of the frame arms 26 in anysuitable fashion as by welding. The tank 5 in which the float moves, isfixedly secured as its downstream end to the side walls 25,25 of thecanal 23 by a unit which is essentially constituted of a transverse beam17 whose ends may be 4 permanently connected to such canal side walls inany suitable fashion as by sealing them in the concrete material formingsuch walls, and two parallelly arranged bracket members 15,15 that arepermanently secured in spaced relation to the transverse beam 17. In theunit illustrated, the beam 17 is a tubular beam and the bracket members15,15 form the upstream projecting ends of two plates 15',l5. Theillustrated unit further comprises a tubular transverse beam 18, whichis supported by the cantilevered ends of plates 15 ,15, and a crosstension bar 33. Mounted on the upper edges of the plates 15',l5' andextending in a longitudinal direction from beam 17 to beam 18 is aplatform 19 which extends transversely from one canal side wall to theother so as to afford a service platform for the caretakers of the gate.The tank 5, at its upstream end, is provided with two transverselyspaced pairs of rollers, each pair comprising an upper roller 20 and alower roller 21. The rollers 20,20 of each pair bear on a track 22formed on the tubular pivot beam 22. It will thus be seen that the tank5 is fixed at its downstream end with relation to the canal walls, andis supported at its upstream end by the beam 22, the pairs of rollers 20and 21 enabling the gate to pivot freely in its operations with relationto the fixed tank 5. During such displacements of the gate each pair ofrollers travels on the peripheral surface of its associated band 22. Theperipheral surfaces of the bands 22', 22 are machined to provide smoothtracks for the rollers 20 and 21.

In the modified form of construction illustrated in FIGS. 4 of thedrawings, each pair of bearing plates 7 and 8 associated with each framearm 26' have been constructed as a single plate 35 provided with onearcuately-shaped edge 35 which extends throughout the range of movementof the resultant of the weight and hydraulic thrusts exerted on thetubular beam 22. Thus, such forces will be distributed over greaterareas of the peripheral surface of such beam than when using separatebearing plates 7 and 8. The bearing plates 35 may be secured to theframe arms 26' in the manner of the bearing plates 7 and preferably areprovided with upwardly extending extensions 35" which forms supports forthe ballast container 56. In all other respects the construction of FIG.4 is similar to that shown in FIGS. l-3 and the gate is secured to thetubular beam 22 by bolts 11 and nuts 14 inthe manner described in thediscussion of the construction of FIGS. 1-3.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other changes maybe made in the constructions disclosed herein without departing from thespirit of the invention, or the scope of the appended claims in whichthe terms vertically, upstream and downstream when applied to thepivotal shaft refer to such shaft locations in the closed condition ofthe gate.

What is claimed is:

1. A water gate comprising a frame, means for supporting said frame forpivotal movement about a fixed axis, a sector-shaped gate apron mountedon the upstream end of said frame, and a sector float mounted on saidframe and disposed downstream of said pivotal axis and rotatable aboutthe same, said supporting means comprising a beam extending transverselyof said frame, and means rotatably supporting said beam, and meansdetachably securing said frame to said beam including seating meansfixed to said frame and seated on one portion of the exterior surface ofsaid beam subjected to a line of force that is predominately of theweight of the frame and seated on another portion of said surfacesubjected to a line of force that is predominately of the hydraulicthrust on the apron, the force acting on the beam through said seatingmeans due to the weight of the frame acting on a line which extendsvertically from. the pivotal axis, with the hydraulic thrust forceacting therethrough acting on a line passing through the pivotal axisand positioned from the vertical on the upstream side of the beam, firstconnecting means secured to said beam, and second connecting meansincluding a member detachably connected to said frame and connected tosaid first connecting means, said first and second connecting meansbeing constructed and arranged to press said seating means on theexterior surface of said beam and maintain the same seated thereon andto exert an anchoring force securing said frame to said beam and actingalong a line extending through the pivotal axis of the beam and dividingthe angle formed by said two force lines of predominant weight andhydraulic thrust.

2. A water gas as defined in claim 1, in which said beam is a tubularbeam, and in which said seating means is provided with arcuately-shapedseating portions engageable with the peripheral surface of said tubularbeam.

3. A water gate as defined in claim 1, in which said seating meansprotrude from said frame into seating relation on the exterior surfaceof said beam, and in which said one beam surface portion is locatedvertically above the pivotal axis of the beam, said other beam surfaceportion is located on the upstream side of said beam, and the angleformed by said lines of predominant weight and hydraulic thrust being atleast approximately 90.

4. A water gate as defined in claim 1, in which said seating means isconstituted of a firstmember secured to said frame and seated on saidbeam on a surface portion thereof located vertically above the pivotalaxis of the beam, and of a second member secured to said frame andseated on said beam on a surface portion thereof located on the upstreamside of said beam.

5. A water gate as defined in claim 1, in which said seating means isconstituted of a single member having a beam seating surface extendingfrom said one beam surface portion of said other beam surface portion.

6. A water gate'as defined in claim 2, in which said first connectingmeans is an elongated nut extending diametrically within said tubularbeam and secured at its ends to diametrically opposed wall portions ofsuch beam, in which said second connecting means is a bolt having athreaded end screwed into said nut, and including a projection on saidframe having an opening through which said bolt extends.

7. A water gate comprising a frame, a cylindricallyshaped shaftsupporting said frame, means securing said frame to said shaft, meansrotatably supporting said shaft, a sector-shaped gate apron mounted onthe upstream end of said frame, a sector float mounted on said frame anddisposed downstream of said shaft and rotatable about the pivotal axisof said shaft, a stationary tank containing said float and communicatingwith the downstream reach of the water course in which the water gate ismounted, means for fixedly securing the downstream end of said tank tothe side walls of the downstream reach, and tank supporting means fixedto said tank and engaging the peripheral surface of said shaft, saidtank supporting means providing a rotatable connection between said tankand said shaft and sup porting the upstream end of said tank on theexterior surface of said shaft while permitting rotatable movement ofsaid shaft surface relative to said tank.

8. A water gate as defined in claim 7, in which said upstream tanksupporting means comprises a roller bearing on the exterior surface ofsaid shaft above the axial center thereof and a roller bearing on theexterior surface of said shaft below the axial center thereof, saidrollers traversing said exterior surface during the pivotal movements ofthe gate.

9. A water gate as defined in claim 8, in which said shaft is providedwith a smooth track on which said rollers move during the pivotalmovements of the gate.

10. A water gate as defined in claim 7, in which said downstream tanksupporting means is a unit constituted of a transverse member spanningthe water course and secured at its ends to the walls of the downstreamreach, and a pair of spaced parallelly arranged plates secured to saidtransverse member and having upstream ends projecting beyond thetransverse member, and means securing the upstream ends of the plates ofsaid unit to the side walls of said tank.

11. A water gate as defined in claim 10, including a plateform mountedon said unit and spanning the water course.

M1050 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIE RATE OF CORREC 1101M Patent No.3,739,585 Dated June 19, 1973 Inventor(s) Q V Jacques L. Dubouchet It iscertified that error appears in the abcwe-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Col. 1 line 59, the word "of" should be '--on-- Col. 3 line 5, the word"an" shoulq be ----and---. 001'. line 21, the number "56" should be"6-9; cel. n line 66 (Claim 2) the word W ee" should b i --ga.te-- and AI I Col. 5, line 23 ole-in 5) the word "pf" should be --to i I Signedand sealedthis 27th day of November 1973.

(SEAL) Attest: V I EDWARD MQFLETCPIERJVR; RENE D. TEG'TMEYER AttestingOfficer Acting Commissioner of Patents

1. A water gate comprising a frame, means for supporting said frame forpivotal movement about a fixed axis, a sector-shaped gate apron mountedon the upstream end of said frame, and a sector float mounted on saidframe and disposed downstream of said pivotal axis and rotatable aboutthe same, said supporting means comprising a beam extending transverselyof said frame, and means rotatably supporting said beam, and meansdetachably securing said frame to said beam including seating meansfixed to said frame and seated on one portion of the exterior surface ofsaid beam subjected to a line of force that is predominately of theweight of the frame and seated on another portion of said surfacesubjected to a line of force that is predominately of the hydraulicthrust on the apron, the force acting on the beam through said seatingmeans due to the weight of the frame acting on a line which extendsvertically from the pivotal axis, with the hydraulic thrust force actingtherethrough acting on a line passing through the pivotal axis andpositioned 90* from the vertical on the upstream side of the beam, firstconnecting means secured to said beam, and second connecting meansincluding a member detachably connected to said frame and connected tosaid first connecting means, said first and second connecting meansbeing constructed and arranged to press said seating means on theexterior surface of said beam and maintain the same seated thereon andto exert an anchoring force securing said frame to said beam and actingalong a line extending through the pivotal axis of the beam and dividingthe angle formed by said two force lines of predominant weight andhydraulic thrust.
 2. A water gas as defined in claim 1, in which saidbeam is a tubular beam, and in which said seating means is provided witharcuately-shaped seating portions engageable with the peripheral surfaceof said tubular beam.
 3. A water gate as defined in claim 1, in whichsaid seating means protrude from said frame into seating relation on theexterior surface of said beam, and in which said one beam surfaceportion is located vertically above the pivotal axis of the beam, saidother beam surface portion is located on the upstream side of said beam,and the angle formed by said lines of predominant weight and hydraulicthrust being at least approximately 90*.
 4. A water gate as defined inclaim 1, in which said seating means is constituted of a First membersecured to said frame and seated on said beam on a surface portionthereof located vertically above the pivotal axis of the beam, and of asecond member secured to said frame and seated on said beam on a surfaceportion thereof located on the upstream side of said beam.
 5. A watergate as defined in claim 1, in which said seating means is constitutedof a single member having a beam seating surface extending from said onebeam surface portion of said other beam surface portion.
 6. A water gateas defined in claim 2, in which said first connecting means is anelongated nut extending diametrically within said tubular beam andsecured at its ends to diametrically opposed wall portions of such beam,in which said second connecting means is a bolt having a threaded endscrewed into said nut, and including a projection on said frame havingan opening through which said bolt extends.
 7. A water gate comprising aframe, a cylindrically-shaped shaft supporting said frame, meanssecuring said frame to said shaft, means rotatably supporting saidshaft, a sector-shaped gate apron mounted on the upstream end of saidframe, a sector float mounted on said frame and disposed downstream ofsaid shaft and rotatable about the pivotal axis of said shaft, astationary tank containing said float and communicating with thedownstream reach of the water course in which the water gate is mounted,means for fixedly securing the downstream end of said tank to the sidewalls of the downstream reach, and tank supporting means fixed to saidtank and engaging the peripheral surface of said shaft, said tanksupporting means providing a rotatable connection between said tank andsaid shaft and supporting the upstream end of said tank on the exteriorsurface of said shaft while permitting rotatable movement of said shaftsurface relative to said tank.
 8. A water gate as defined in claim 7, inwhich said upstream tank supporting means comprises a roller bearing onthe exterior surface of said shaft above the axial center thereof and aroller bearing on the exterior surface of said shaft below the axialcenter thereof, said rollers traversing said exterior surface during thepivotal movements of the gate.
 9. A water gate as defined in claim 8, inwhich said shaft is provided with a smooth track on which said rollersmove during the pivotal movements of the gate.
 10. A water gate asdefined in claim 7, in which said downstream tank supporting means is aunit constituted of a transverse member spanning the water course andsecured at its ends to the walls of the downstream reach, and a pair ofspaced parallelly arranged plates secured to said transverse member andhaving upstream ends projecting beyond the transverse member, and meanssecuring the upstream ends of the plates of said unit to the side wallsof said tank.
 11. A water gate as defined in claim 10, including aplateform mounted on said unit and spanning the water course.